Nearly three million people have fled Sudan after 18 months of war in a still-growing exodus, the UN warned, with 25,000 fleeing to neighbouring Chad in the first week of October alone.

Mamadou Dian Balde, the UN's Sudan regional refugee coordinator, told AFP that the three-million mark will likely be crossed in the next two to three weeks.

That the figure is approaching three million is a "disaster" directly linked to the increasing brutality of the conflict, he said in an interview on Tuesday during his visit to Geneva this week.

War has raged since April 2023 between the Sudanese army under the country's de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

Both sides have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians and blocking humanitarian aid.

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The conflict has left tens of thousands dead and some 26 million people facing severe food insecurity, with famine declared in the Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan's western Darfur region.

Some 11.3 million people have been forced to flee, including nearly 2.95 million who have fled across the country's borders, according to the latest figures from UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.

<h2>- Strain on Chad -</h2>

In a sign of the worsening conflict in Darfur, some 25,000 people -- 80 percent of whom were women and children -- crossed into eastern Chad in the first week of October, a record number for a single week in 2024.

And more than 20,270 crossed into Chad in the whole of September.

Chad is host to 681,944 Sudanese refugees -- more than any other country.

However, it is also one of the poorest countries on Earth and is lacking the basic services to accommodate such numbers, said Balde, while highlighting the generosity shown by Chadians towards their fleeing neighbours.

"When we see 25,000 arriving, it's enormous," he said.

He called for greater support from international donors.&nbsp;

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A UN appeal for $1.51 billion to support Sudanese refugees and their hosts in the region through the end of the year remains just 27-percent funded.

"It's not enough, because the number of refugees continues to grow," said Balde, who also serves as the UNHCR's East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes regional director.

Balde said he expected "very unfortunately, in the coming weeks, to have many more refugees in Chad", due to both the conflict intensifying in Darfur and the drop in water levels as the rainy season ends.

<h2>- Aid still limited -</h2>

With the drier conditions, the UN hopes to be able to deliver more aid to Sudan -- if the parties to the conflict allow it.

Several rounds of negotiation efforts have so far failed to end the fighting.

In late August, following talks outside Geneva convened by the United States, the two factions committed to ensuring safe and unhindered access for humanitarians along two key corridors.

"This has helped us save lives," but "not all the commitments made have been respected" -- and the flow of aid remains "limited", said Balde, deploring the persistent "barriers at the administrative level".

In Geneva for the UNHCR's annual executive committee meeting, he chaired a discussion on Sudan, during which he asked for support to help Sudanese refugees get into the jobs market and thereby reduce their reliance on humanitarian assistance.

"We are asking development actors to mobilise to complement" such aid, he explained, while stressing the need for peace in Sudan.

Balde warned it would be "a big mistake" to think the flow of displaced people will be limited to Sudan and the wider region.

"There are more and more who are coming towards Italy, Europe and southern Africa", and "there are some who will go towards the Gulf countries too", he said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nearly three million people have fled Sudan after 18 months of war in a still-growing exodus, the UN warned, with 25,000 fleeing to neighbouring Chad in the first week of October alone.

Nearly three million people have fled Sudan after 18 months of war in a still-growing exodus, the UN warned, with 25,000 fleeing to neighbouring Chad in the first week of October alone. Mamadou Dian Balde, the UN's Sudan regional refugee coordinator, told AFP that the three-million mark will likely be crossed in the next two to three weeks. That the figure is approaching three million is a "disaster" directly linked to the increasing brutality of the conflict, he said in an interview on Tuesday during his visit to Geneva this week. War has raged since April 2023 between the Sudanese army under the country's de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Both sides have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians and blocking humanitarian aid. Also Read | Joe Biden said ‘18 of the 19 people who work for Netanyahu are liars' in major revelation The conflict has left tens of thousands dead and some 26 million people facing severe food insecurity, with famine declared in the Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan's western Darfur region. Some 11.3 million people have been forced to flee, including nearly 2.95 million who have fled across the country's borders, according to the latest figures from UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. - Strain on Chad - In a sign of the worsening conflict in Darfur, some 25,000 people -- 80 percent of whom were women and children -- crossed into eastern Chad in the first week of October, a record number for a single week in 2024. And more than 20,270 crossed into Chad in the whole of September. Chad is host to 681,944 Sudanese refugees -- more than any other country. However, it is also one of the poorest countries on Earth and is lacking the basic services to accommodate such numbers, said Balde, while highlighting the generosity shown by Chadians towards their fleeing neighbours. "When we see 25,000 arriving, it's enormous," he said. He called for greater support from international donors. Also Read | Biden says Israel must improve Gaza's humanitarian situation in 30 days A UN appeal for $1.51 billion to support Sudanese refugees and their hosts in the region through the end of the year remains just 27-percent funded. "It's not enough, because the number of refugees continues to grow," said Balde, who also serves as the UNHCR's East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes regional director. Balde said he expected "very unfortunately, in the coming weeks, to have many more refugees in Chad", due to both the conflict intensifying in Darfur and the drop in water levels as the rainy season ends. - Aid still limited - With the drier conditions, the UN hopes to be able to deliver more aid to Sudan -- if the parties to the conflict allow it. Several rounds of negotiation efforts have so far failed to end the fighting. In late August, following talks outside Geneva convened by the United States, the two factions committed to ensuring safe and unhindered access for humanitarians along two key corridors. "This has helped us save lives," but "not all the commitments made have been respected" -- and the flow of aid remains "limited", said Balde, deploring the persistent "barriers at the administrative level". In Geneva for the UNHCR's annual executive committee meeting, he chaired a discussion on Sudan, during which he asked for support to help Sudanese refugees get into the jobs market and thereby reduce their reliance on humanitarian assistance. "We are asking development actors to mobilise to complement" such aid, he explained, while stressing the need for peace in Sudan. Balde warned it would be "a big mistake" to think the flow of displaced people will be limited to Sudan and the wider region. "There are more and more who are coming towards Italy, Europe and southern Africa", and "there are some who will go towards the Gulf countries too", he said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Escalating Sudan bloodshed increases refugee surge into Chad

Ahead of World Refugee Day dozens of multinational companies have vowed to hire refugees from across Europe including more than 13,000 refugees from Ukraine over the next three years, on Monday (June 18). The pledge was made at a business summit in Paris organised by the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a global business coalition of over 300 companies.&nbsp;

<h2>Employment for refugees in Europe</h2>

A day before World Refugee Day, 41 companies including Amazon, Marriott, Accenture, Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft and so on, have said they would hire, connect to work or train a total of 250,000 refugees out of which 13,680 would be getting jobs directly in those companies.

The pledges made on Monday amount to the single largest batch of commitments made in the history of the Tent Partnership for Refugees since it was founded back in 2016, reported CNN. &nbsp;

Kelly Clements, United Nations deputy high commissioner for refugees, on Monday said, “Every number is a story of an individual family who left everything, seeking safety, seeking protection and wanting to be able to rebuild as quickly as possible.”&nbsp;

She added, “So the commitments that businesses are going to make on Monday are absolutely essential.” According to the UN official, 110 million people have been displaced across the world out of which an estimated 12 million are from Ukraine and more than half of them live in Europe.&nbsp;

The event in Paris was organised by Tent Partnership for Refugees which is a nonprofit founded by Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya which connects businesses and refugees. Notably, the group’s first summit was held last year in the United States and witnessed pledges to hire 22,725 refugees.

<h2>Which companies have joined the pledge?</h2>

The biggest pledge, on Monday, was made by Amazon which has vowed to hire at least 5,000 refugees in Europe over the next three years. This would be followed by Marriott and Hilton with 1,500 each, Starbucks and ISS with 1,000 each, reported the Associated Press. Meanwhile, brands like Adidas, L’Oreal, PepsiCo, Hyatt, and so on have made smaller commitments.&nbsp;

“This is good for us as a company because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger company,” said Amazon Vice President overseeing human resources, Ofori Agboka, as quoted by AP.&nbsp;

He added that many of these jobs would be hourly roles at fulfilment and storage centres and in transport and delivery. This comes after the company announced mass layoffs and fired thousands of employees late last year. However, Agboka said that the job cuts primarily affected salaried office jobs.&nbsp;

Similarly, Marriott also said their jobs will predominantly be hourly positions like housekeepers, kitchen staff and front desk attendants. Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano said, “We’re seeing record levels of demand for our properties across many markets here in Europe,” adding that the company is “hiring aggressively” to meet the rising demand, reported AP. 
 
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Ahead of World Refugee Day dozens of multinational companies have vowed to hire refugees from across Europe including more than 13,000 refugees from Ukraine over the next three years, on Monday (June 18).

Ahead of World Refugee Day dozens of multinational companies have vowed to hire refugees from across Europe including more than 13,000 refugees from Ukraine over the next three years, on Monday (June 18). The pledge was made at a business summit in Paris organised by the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a global business coalition of over 300 companies. Employment for refugees in Europe A day before World Refugee Day, 41 companies including Amazon, Marriott, Accenture, Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft and so on, have said they would hire, connect to work or train a total of 250,000 refugees out of which 13,680 would be getting jobs directly in those companies. The pledges made on Monday amount to the single largest batch of commitments made in the history of the Tent Partnership for Refugees since it was founded back in 2016, reported CNN. Kelly Clements, United Nations deputy high commissioner for refugees, on Monday said, “Every number is a story of an individual family who left everything, seeking safety, seeking protection and wanting to be able to rebuild as quickly as possible.” She added, “So the commitments that businesses are going to make on Monday are absolutely essential.” According to the UN official, 110 million people have been displaced across the world out of which an estimated 12 million are from Ukraine and more than half of them live in Europe. The event in Paris was organised by Tent Partnership for Refugees which is a nonprofit founded by Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya which connects businesses and refugees. Notably, the group’s first summit was held last year in the United States and witnessed pledges to hire 22,725 refugees. Which companies have joined the pledge? The biggest pledge, on Monday, was made by Amazon which has vowed to hire at least 5,000 refugees in Europe over the next three years. This would be followed by Marriott and Hilton with 1,500 each, Starbucks and ISS with 1,000 each, reported the Associated Press. Meanwhile, brands like Adidas, L’Oreal, PepsiCo, Hyatt, and so on have made smaller commitments. “This is good for us as a company because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger company,” said Amazon Vice President overseeing human resources, Ofori Agboka, as quoted by AP. He added that many of these jobs would be hourly roles at fulfilment and storage centres and in transport and delivery. This comes after the company announced mass layoffs and fired thousands of employees late last year. However, Agboka said that the job cuts primarily affected salaried office jobs. Similarly, Marriott also said their jobs will predominantly be hourly positions like housekeepers, kitchen staff and front desk attendants. Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano said, “We’re seeing record levels of demand for our properties across many markets here in Europe,” adding that the company is “hiring aggressively” to meet the rising demand, reported AP. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dozens of big companies vow to hire, train over 250,000 refugees from across Europe

In a United Nations&nbsp;review of its human rights record, the United Kingdom was subjected to a torrent of inquiries and criticism on its immigration and anti-poverty measures on Thursday&nbsp;amid claims that it is regressing on freedoms.&nbsp;

Even though criticism is a regular part of the UN process that occurs every few years, observers said the level of scrutiny of one of the most well-known democracies in the world from such a wide spectrum of nations, including allies, was noteworthy.&nbsp;

The London plan to transfer asylum seekers who arrive in Britain to Rwanda to combat an inflow of refugees and migrants on its southern coast was one of the problems brought up at the UN meeting in Geneva.

The deal, according to Luxembourg's ambassador Marc Bichler, violates international law and "risks causing irreversible injury to persons seeking international protection."&nbsp;

In written comments, the close ally United States questioned the practise and questioned how it could guarantee the safety of those sent to other nations.

"The fact that so many states made recommendations addressing the UK's backsliding on human rights at home and abroad, its treatment of people seeking asylum, and its undermining of international standards shows their grave concern," Emilie McDonnell from Human Rights Watch told Reuters.

"We can only hope this global spotlight leads the UK to change course."

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The government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is "totally dedicated" to defending and upholding human rights both at home and abroad, according to Mike Freer, a junior minister in the British Justice Department.&nbsp;

Freer added that Rwanda was a safe, secure nation with a history of assisting refugees.&nbsp;

After a last-minute injunction from the European Court of Human Rights prevented the first scheduled flight in June, no deportations have yet occurred. The High Court in London is currently conducting a judicial review of the policy.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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In a United Nations review of its human rights record, the United Kingdom was subjected to a torrent of inquiries and criticism on its immigration and anti-poverty measures on Thursday amid claims that it is regressing on freedoms.

In a United Nations review of its human rights record, the United Kingdom was subjected to a torrent of inquiries and criticism on its immigration and anti-poverty measures on Thursday amid claims that it is regressing on freedoms. Even though criticism is a regular part of the UN process that occurs every few years, observers said the level of scrutiny of one of the most well-known democracies in the world from such a wide spectrum of nations, including allies, was noteworthy. The London plan to transfer asylum seekers who arrive in Britain to Rwanda to combat an inflow of refugees and migrants on its southern coast was one of the problems brought up at the UN meeting in Geneva. The deal, according to Luxembourg's ambassador Marc Bichler, violates international law and "risks causing irreversible injury to persons seeking international protection." In written comments, the close ally United States questioned the practise and questioned how it could guarantee the safety of those sent to other nations. "The fact that so many states made recommendations addressing the UK's backsliding on human rights at home and abroad, its treatment of people seeking asylum, and its undermining of international standards shows their grave concern," Emilie McDonnell from Human Rights Watch told Reuters. "We can only hope this global spotlight leads the UK to change course." Also Read: United States: Five most expensive contests in midterm elections The government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is "totally dedicated" to defending and upholding human rights both at home and abroad, according to Mike Freer, a junior minister in the British Justice Department. Freer added that Rwanda was a safe, secure nation with a history of assisting refugees. After a last-minute injunction from the European Court of Human Rights prevented the first scheduled flight in June, no deportations have yet occurred. The High Court in London is currently conducting a judicial review of the policy. (with inputs from agencies)

UK faces criticism at United Nations for its migration policies

More than twenty Rohingya refugees have been found alive in Malaysia after they were feared dead last week. The news was reported by a senior coastguard official on Monday.

Twenty six refugees were found hiding in the bushes on a nearby small island. The group of refugees was feared dead after reports of them missing surfaced.

Malaysia has been harsh on the undocumented foreign workers, especially the&nbsp;Rohingya refugees.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-24-rohingya-migrants-feared-drowned-off-malaysia-316077">Also read:&nbsp;At least 24 Rohingya migrants feared drowned off Malaysia</a>

The refugees could be found after one refugee swam ashore from a small boat on Langkawi on Saturday night.While the officials feared that the rest of the group had drowned, they continued the search and found them on a small island off the coast.

“They were found hiding in the bushes on the island,” Mohd Zubil Mat Som, director-general of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said.

The group of refugees were suspected to have sneaked into the Malaysian border on a small boat. “Our investigations found that this syndicate transfers migrants from motherboats near the maritime border to local fishing boats to evade local authorities,” MMEA’s provincial director Mohd Zawawi Abdullah

More than twenty Rohingya refugees have been found alive in Malaysia after they were feared dead last week. The news was reported by a senior coastguard official on Monday.

More than twenty Rohingya refugees have been found alive in Malaysia after they were feared dead last week. The news was reported by a senior coastguard official on Monday. Twenty six refugees were found hiding in the bushes on a nearby small island. The group of refugees was feared dead after reports of them missing surfaced. Malaysia has been harsh on the undocumented foreign workers, especially the Rohingya refugees. Also read: At least 24 Rohingya migrants feared drowned off Malaysia The refugees could be found after one refugee swam ashore from a small boat on Langkawi on Saturday night.While the officials feared that the rest of the group had drowned, they continued the search and found them on a small island off the coast. “They were found hiding in the bushes on the island,” Mohd Zubil Mat Som, director-general of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said. The group of refugees were suspected to have sneaked into the Malaysian border on a small boat. “Our investigations found that this syndicate transfers migrants from motherboats near the maritime border to local fishing boats to evade local authorities,” MMEA’s provincial director Mohd Zawawi Abdullah

Malaysia: 26 Rohingya refugees found alive on a small island

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-to-be-granted-asylum-his-life-at-risk-in-bolivia-mexico-261494">Bolivia's</a> former leader Evo Morales was flying to Mexico for asylum on Tuesday as security forces sought to quell violence over the long-serving leftist's resignation and lawmakers searched for an interim replacement.

Morales, who quit after weeks of protests over a disputed October election, flew in a Mexican Air Force plane from the town of Chimore, a stronghold where Bolivia's first indigenous president retreated as his 14-year rule imploded.

The plane stopped in Paraguay to refuel, before flying on to Mexico where it was due around 9 am&nbsp;local time.

"His life and integrity are safe," tweeted Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, whose leftist government has supported Morales' accusations of a coup against him by political rivals.

Ebrard tweeted a photo of Morales seated alone in the jet with a downcast, unsmiling expression, displaying Mexico's red, white and green flag across his lap.

In Bolivia's highland capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-exit-in-bolivia-sparks-night-of-violence-leaves-a-political-vacuum-261397">La Paz</a>, roadblocks were still in place after soldiers and police patrolled late into the night to deter fighting between rival political groups and looting that erupted after Morales' resignation.

The charismatic, 60-year-old, former coca leaf farmer was beloved by the poor when he won power in 2006, but alienated Bolivians by insisting on seeking a fourth term.

New president sought

Lawmakers were expected to meet on Tuesday to formally accept Morales' resignation and begin deciding an interim leadership prior to a new election.

The government collapsed on Sunday after the Organization of American States (OAS) delivered a damning report on irregularities during the October vote, prompting ruling party allies to quit and the army to urge Morales' departure.

With Morales' deputy and many allies in government and parliament also gone, opposition politician and Senate second vice-president Jeanine Anez may take the top job temporarily.

Bolivia and Latin America are starkly divided by Morales' fall, with detractors exulting in the fall of a "dictator" and supporters denouncing a coup by right-wing foes determined to put Bolivia's capitalist elite back in charge.

Morales' Defense Minister Javier Zavaleta also resigned on Tuesday and called on election runner-up Carlos Mesa and protest leader Luis Fernando Camacho to avoid violence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivian-president-morales-resigns-after-protests-over-disputed-october-vote-261231">Morales achieved steady economic growth</a> in one of the region's poorest nations and was for many years hugely popular, but his successful legal challenge to a 2016 referendum stopping him running for another term brought accusations of autocracy.

His departure has added to a wave of unrest around Latin America, including in nearby Ecuador and Chile where protesters have been berating leaders over social inequalities.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador praised Morales for resigning rather than putting lives at risk.

Bolivia's former leader Evo Morales was flying to Mexico for asylum on Tuesday as security forces sought to quell violence over the long-serving leftist's resignation and lawmakers searched for an interim replacement.

Bolivia's former leader Evo Morales was flying to Mexico for asylum on Tuesday as security forces sought to quell violence over the long-serving leftist's resignation and lawmakers searched for an interim replacement. Morales, who quit after weeks of protests over a disputed October election, flew in a Mexican Air Force plane from the town of Chimore, a stronghold where Bolivia's first indigenous president retreated as his 14-year rule imploded. The plane stopped in Paraguay to refuel, before flying on to Mexico where it was due around 9 am local time. "His life and integrity are safe," tweeted Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, whose leftist government has supported Morales' accusations of a coup against him by political rivals. Ebrard tweeted a photo of Morales seated alone in the jet with a downcast, unsmiling expression, displaying Mexico's red, white and green flag across his lap. In Bolivia's highland capital La Paz, roadblocks were still in place after soldiers and police patrolled late into the night to deter fighting between rival political groups and looting that erupted after Morales' resignation. The charismatic, 60-year-old, former coca leaf farmer was beloved by the poor when he won power in 2006, but alienated Bolivians by insisting on seeking a fourth term. New president sought Lawmakers were expected to meet on Tuesday to formally accept Morales' resignation and begin deciding an interim leadership prior to a new election. The government collapsed on Sunday after the Organization of American States (OAS) delivered a damning report on irregularities during the October vote, prompting ruling party allies to quit and the army to urge Morales' departure. With Morales' deputy and many allies in government and parliament also gone, opposition politician and Senate second vice-president Jeanine Anez may take the top job temporarily. Bolivia and Latin America are starkly divided by Morales' fall, with detractors exulting in the fall of a "dictator" and supporters denouncing a coup by right-wing foes determined to put Bolivia's capitalist elite back in charge. Morales' Defense Minister Javier Zavaleta also resigned on Tuesday and called on election runner-up Carlos Mesa and protest leader Luis Fernando Camacho to avoid violence. Morales achieved steady economic growth in one of the region's poorest nations and was for many years hugely popular, but his successful legal challenge to a 2016 referendum stopping him running for another term brought accusations of autocracy. His departure has added to a wave of unrest around Latin America, including in nearby Ecuador and Chile where protesters have been berating leaders over social inequalities. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador praised Morales for resigning rather than putting lives at risk.

Bolivia seeks new leader as Morales heads for Mexico refuge

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Escalating Sudan bloodshed increases refugee surge into Chad

Dozens of big companies vow to hire, train over 250,000 refugees from across Europe

UK faces criticism at United Nations for its migration policies

Malaysia: 26 Rohingya refugees found alive on a small island

Bolivia seeks new leader as Morales heads for Mexico refuge